WHITTIER – Governmental experience counts – at least for the Whittier City Council members Tuesday in narrowing a list of 25 applicants to seven to fill its vacancy.

Six of the seven have either been an elected official, an appointed commissioner or a government employee. They will be interviewed at a 5 p.m. Tuesday meeting, after which the council may make an appointment.

They need to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Greg Nordbak.

“I wanted to make sure we have a new councilmember who can hit the pavement running and has some governmental experience under their belt whether it be elected or appointed,” said Councilman Joe Vinatieri.

“There’s a long learning curve,” Vinatieri said. “I didn’t start figuring things out for at least two to two-and-a-half years. Somebody who’s been either elected or appointed understands how government works.”

The six, who have some kind of governmental experience include:

Leighton Anderson, a member of the Whittier Union High School District Board of Education

Steven Castellanos, a member of the Historic Resources Commission and a retired director of public works from La Habra

Fernando Dutra, Whittier planning commissioner

R.D. McDonnell, Whittier planning commissioner

\ Martha Escutia, former state legislator

\ Harry Stone, former planning commissioner and retired director of public works for Los Angeles County.

Only Charles Claver, a banker who has served on several local boards such as Rio Hondo Symphony and Whittier Conservancy has no governmental experience.

In selecting the seven, the council members took a straw poll on who they want to interview.

Dutra and Stone each were named by all four council members.

Castellanos and Escutia were selected by Mayor Owen Newcomer and Councilmen Bob Henderson and Vinatieri.

McDonnell was selected by Newcomer, Vinatieri and Councilwoman Cathy Warner.

Anderson was selected by Vinatieri and Warner and Claver was named by Newcomer and Henderson.

Some members of the community suggested the council needs to look at demographics in making the choice.

“Representation on the council has not kept pace with demographics and other changes that have taken place in our community” said Matt Berkelhammer, a Whittier activist, pointing out that that Whittier is now more than 67 percent Latino.

“The lack of representation isn’t due to any lack of qualified Latino members willing to serve,” Berkelhammer said. “The council has before it a historic opportunity. I hope you have a commitment to inclusiveness and diversity this community so desperately needs.”

But council members said they were interested in governmental experience.

“I was interested to see if individuals had served in a local elected capacity,” Warner said. “(Then), one would have the opportunity to participate in closed sessions, negotiate contracts, and go through employee negotiations.”

Henderson ruled out people who have run for office unsuccessfully.

“I was extremely interested if they were supported by the electorate,” Henderson said. “I eliminated all of those who have run multiple times.”

Newcomer said he looked at the candidates’ past involvement.

“I was looking at what they have to contribute,” Newcomer said. “What skills do they have? What can they do to help us be successful?”

Mike Sprague started at the Whittier Daily News in April 1984. Since then, Sprague has covered every city in the Whittier Daily News circulation area, as well as political and water issues. Sprague received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in political science, both from Cal State Fullerton.